Premium Essay

Artemisia Gentileschi

In:

Submitted By sandragodoy85
Words 1789
Pages 8
Artemisia Gentileschi
(1593-1653)
Considered one of the most important artists of the Baroque movement in Early Modern Europe, Artemisia Gentileschi, had to prove herself and break down the boundaries for a woman in a male dominated field. Artemisia was born in Rome on July 8, 1953 to Orazio and Prudentia Monotone Gentileschi, who died when the artist was only twelve years of age. Her upbringing was left to her father, who was also a well-known painter. He trained her since she was not permitted to learn in the studios of successful artists of the moment. Orazio introduced his daughter to the working artists of Rome including Caravaggio, whose tenebrism technique and chiaroscuro style had a great influence on her paintings. Unfortunately, other than artistic training, Artemisia, had hardly any other schooling and did not learn to read or write until she was an adult.
Agostino Tassi was a Florentine artist with whom Orazio had a working relationship, however, this acquaintance proved to have dire consequences for his daughter. In 1612, at the age of nineteen, Artemisia, accused Tassi of rape. Orazio, upon learning of this horrible crime committed against his daughter filed an injury and damage lawsuit against Tassi, which is clearly documented in the transcripts of the seven-month long trial. According to Artemisia, Tassi aided by family friends repeatedly tried to be alone with her until he was successful in cornering her in her own bedroom where the rape took place. Tassi, in an attempt to calm Artemisia down after the rape, promised to marry her, which led her to accept his ongoing advances both on a personal and intimate level but the actual marriage never took place because Tassi was never true to his word and avoided following through with the nuptials. During the trial Artemisia was accused of not being a virgin when the rape took place and also of

Similar Documents

Free Essay

Artemisia Gentileschi

...Artemisia Gentileschi the Renaissance Feminist Artist Manuel Hernandez Devry University Abstract Why exactly is Artemisia Gentileschi considered an early feminist? Doing a brief search and looking into her artwork, even for a brief amount of time and you quickly see why she was considered so. Her gender as well as the things she went through and experienced in her life heavily influenced Artemisia Gentileschi’s artwork. Some of the more famous and controversial paintings focus on females as being the main protagonist. There is plenty of controversy surrounding the paintings as well, since her father Orazio Gentileschi a painter in his own right trained her. Some of her early paintings are questioned and he is given credit for them. Artemisia Gentileschi went through some unfortunate events in a short and young time in her life, which I believe influenced her greatly and made her focus on feminism. As stated in her biography (n/a) her mother died when she was 12 years old, a huge loss for a young girl. When she was around the age of 17, Agostino Tassi who was one of her father’s colleagues raped Artemisia Gentileschi (Biography et al., n/a). Further adding to the pain, because of the rape her father Orazio wanted Agostino to marry Artemisia (Biography et al., n/a). Luckily for Artemisia he refused to marry her saving her the pain of living with her rapist, and this caused Orazio to pursue a legal case against Agostino that lasted several months. In looking through Artemisia’s...

Words: 2144 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Artemisiagentileschi: Visionary

...ArtemisiaGentileschi: Visionary Italian painter Artemisia Gentileschi was born in Rome in 1593, just before the beginning of the Baroque era. Gentileschi’s father was also an artist; he shared his techniques with his daughter who spent hours in his workshop before attempting to create works of her own. In her early teens, Artemisia claimed to have been raped by her artistic mentor, a possible cause of her feministic and brutally naturalistic views in the art world. Paintings like Judith Slaying Holofernes have sometimes overshadowed Self-Portrait due to their shocking subject matter from a woman at that time. For a woman at the beginning of the 17th century, being a painter represented an uncommon and difficult challenge. Gentileschi adopted her style of chiaroscuro from Caravaggio, whose paintings combined realistic observations of the human state with dramatic lighting. In this lighting, the viewer was able to detect multiple saturation levels of a given color. This new technique of shadowing changed the standard from simple black shading to lower levels of color by mixing in small amounts of black paint. Gentileschi exemplified her ability to use chiaroscuro in Judith Slaying Holofernes where deep reds fade in the blood that runs down the sheets and into darkness. In her Self-Portrait as the Allegory of Painting, the use of lighting can be noted as an important component. The light is coming from the left, but is unique in that the source is not visible and is unusually...

Words: 440 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Artemisia Gentileschi Trauma

...All people handle traumatic experiences in different ways, but some people chose not to address them at all. This is harmful, experts say “Overcoming traumatic stress is all about taking action. Positive action can help you overcome feelings of fear, helplessness, and hopelessness—and even small acts can make a big difference (Robinson, Smith, Segal Traumatic Stress). By leaving traumatic events unacknowledged, it can cause anger management issues and severe depression among other things (What Happens If Trauma is Left Untreated?, PTST Treatment Help). Therefore, people who have been through trauma should direct their energy into something that kindles their creativity. Artemisia Gentileschi was the major exception among Baroque artists, she not only painted to the...

Words: 1219 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Artemisia Gentileschi Essay

...Artemisia Gentileschi What contributions did your individual make to the Renaissance, Reformation, or Scientific Revolution? Why was your individual unique? Why were his/her contribution necessary to advance Western Civilization? Artemisia Gentileschi was a significant artist during the Renaissance. During the Greco time period, Renaissance art was inspired by explicit experiences of individuals and art that captured the beauty and conundrums of the natural world. Throughout this era, women were not accepted by the artistic community. With that being said, Artemisia had a hard time of being acknowledged, also because she had a different style of painting. Her artwork was a reflection of her hardships that she had gone through. Do to her unforgettable...

Words: 656 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Thug Life

...harmony, which I achieved by using variety to unify. Even though all of the items I used were different in shape and color from one another (besides the quarters), I was able to use many different shapes in the work hold together as a unified whole. This was also accomplished by using symmetrical balance to make the assemblage feel more natural to the viewer so that they are able to make natural connections my piece. Emphasis and focal point are the principles of art that were my primary concerns so that I would draw attention to a specific location in my work. I used directional line, implied line and enhanced contrast to draw the viewer to the focal point, which are similar techniques to that of Judith Decapitating Holofernes by Artemisia Gentileschi. The enhanced light value of the lower portion of the quarters that form a cross figure create a strong directional line towards the one hundred dollar bill, where Benjamin Franklin can be seen “covering” his eyes. The reflection of light against the faces of both watches were meant to make an implied line through the cross...

Words: 786 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Roberto Longi Research Paper

...A research paper by Roberto Longhi, an important Italian critic, dated 1916, named Gentileschi padre e figlia (Gentileschi, father and daughter) described Artemisia as "the only woman in Italy who ever knew about painting, coloring, doughing, and other fundamentals". Longhi also wrote of Judith Slaying Holofernes: "There are about fifty-seven works by Artemisia Gentileschi and 94% (forty-nine works) feature women as protagonists or equal to men".[13] These include her works of Jael and Sisera, Judith (Judith and her Maidservant), and Esther. These characters intentionally lacked the stereotypical 'feminine' traits—sensitivity, timidness, and weakness—and were courageous, rebellious, and powerful personalities.[14] A nineteenth-century personality...

Words: 306 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Artemisiia Gentileschi Visual Analysis

...Artemisia Gentileschi was an Italian Baroque painter in the early 17th century. At this point and time, it was hard for females to make a name for themselves, especially in the art world, but Artemisia refused to give in to that role. Having been trained by her father, Orazio and his friend Caravaggio, at a young age, she showed talent and had her own unique style that set her apart from many of the men artists during her time. This is what makes Artemisia Gentileschi an icon of Feminist art.Her depictions of famous scenes differ greatly from men’s. In her first signed painting, Susanna and the Elders depicts the story of a young woman being sexually harassed by the elders in her community. While, many of the male artists at this time depicted the woman as being coy...

Words: 713 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Artemisia's Judith Beheading Holofernes

...Should we continue to be ignored Artemisia Gentileschi’s Judith artwork? The Judith Slaying Holofernes artwork was very popular at the time 1597-1651. However, only male artists were received the credits being an artist. The female could not be recognized as an artist at that time. As Artemisia Gentileschi was a female artist at the time, she was not receiving the credit as being an artist. Many male artists had created a piece around the subject included Caravaggio’s Judith Beheading Holofernes, Lucas Cranach’s Judith with the head of Holofernes, Andrea Mantegna’s Judith and Holofernes, Peter Paul Rubens’ Judith with the head of Holofernes, and many more other artists. Artemisia had painted Artemisia’s Judith Slaying Holofernes, but she was not well received as an artist because she was a female....

Words: 378 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Anna Perenna Research Paper

... population 5000 Anna Perenna was the Roman goddess of the year considered in constant flow and permanent return, the name derived from the Latin word annus for year. There was a festival on the 15th of March, the first Ides of the old year, - celebrated in a holy grove on the banks of the Tiber River, at the first mile post of the Via Flaminia. We would probably call the event New Year’s celebration. People wished each other ut amare perennareque commode liceat. Anna was also the first name of Dido’s sister, mentioned in Virgil’s Aeneis in Book IV. ATHENS 15 miles N of Springfield 10 miles W of I 55 see under ALABAMA population 1800 ATLANTA on I 55 between Springfield - 40 miles - and Bloomington - 20 miles see under GEORGIA population 1700 AUGUSTA 30 miles E of Iowa State Line on State Hwy 61 N of Springfield-Decatur latitude line see under ARKANSAS population 600 AURORA suburb of Chicago W of city S of I 88 see under COLORADO population 172 000 CARTHAGE 15 miles E of Iowa State Line on Route 136 latitude Bloomington-Normal population 2500 CICERO 6 miles W of Chicago Harbor population 80 000 Cicero, 106 - 43 B.C., is considered to be the master of classical Roman prosa writers, born in Arginum in the Province of Latium and murdered near Caiata. He is well-known also as a great orator, having learned his rhetoric skills in Greece and in Asia Minor (79 - 77) where he also studied philosophy and law. His cursus honoris, i.e. his political career, encompassed the...

Words: 1050 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Gentileschi's Art Analysis

...steps they took in order to try to solve those problems. One of the biggest steps taken was the establishment of Artemisia in 1973. The main purpose of this was to support and nurture the career of a whole new generation of women artists. Artemisia was established after Joy Por and the decision to establish it was decided after the first women's cooperative gallery in New York City. The gallery officially opened in September 21. The first topic which they chose to discuss was Gentileschi's art piece. Susannah and the Elders. The painting itself consists of Susannah being spied on by two elders while she is left alone bathing. Susannah of course stood her place and refused their offer of submitting to them sexually. Once Susannah refuses, they threaten to blame her of adultery, a crime that back then was punished with death. Sadly, the word of a man counted more than the one of a woman. Yet, the...

Words: 479 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Restoration

...Evaluation of the Ecological Restoration Projects at The University of California, Santa Barbara’s Lagoon Authors: Matthew Edmiston Cat Bradley Chris Anderson Abstract: The University of California, Santa Barbara’s lagoon has undergone several ecological restoration projects over the past two decades. Some efforts have proven to be beneficial, while others still need improvement. This paper addresses and evaluates five different locations around the lagoon, the various restoration projects at the sites, and what more could be done at each habitat in order to assess the ecological restoration efforts in the UCSB Campus Lagoon area. The sites addressed are the San Nicolas degraded wetlands, Campus Point, the coastal sage scrub, Manzanita Village and the bioswales. Overall, each of the sites have finished going through extensive  restoration, with techniques such as solarization and re-introduction of native species. Most of the ecosystems are now returned to their pre-disturbed state, but continued efforts are needed to preserve the locations. 1.0 Introduction: The term “ecological restoration” is generally defined as “the return of an ecosystem to a close approximation of its condition prior to disturbance” (NRC Report, 1992). Although this term is often oversimplified, it includes a complex web of cultural, social and political aspects as well as environmental aspects. Due to its complexity, and in many cases, the many competing jurisdictions involved, it is often...

Words: 3573 - Pages: 15

Premium Essay

Art 201 Baroque Exhibit Analysis

...In observing these paintings a viewer will appreciate that Susanna and the Elders provides an introduction to Artemisia as a new artist, while, Lucretia, completed several years later, reveals not only Artemisia’s growth and brilliance as an artist and a woman, but how she chose to render her own unique style whether because of, or in spite of, the challenges of her own traumatic and tragic life experiences. Despite her artistic talent, Artemisia Gentileschi is sometimes seen as a controversial figure. She is depicted both as a victim and a provocateur, a martyr and a heroine (Scarparo, 5). Since the early 1970’s there has been much academic and popular interest in Artemisia Gentileschi, from historical-feminist study and spirited debate of Artemisia’s life and oeuvre to popularization of Artemisia in novels and...

Words: 989 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Allegory with Venus and Cupid

...Agnolo di Cosimo who was more commonly known as Bronzino created Allegory with Venus and Cupid around the mid 1540’s. This painting is considered one of the strangest paintings in the sixteenth century but is also a prime example of Mannerist art. The painting has also been identified as “Triumph of Venus” and “Venus, Cupid, Folly and Time”. It is an oil on panel painting measuring 57 ½ x 46”, and is housed in the national gallery in London, England today. Bronzino was born in Florence, Italy, and began his painting career first as the student of Raffaellino del Garbo, and later the apprenctice of Jacopo Pontormo. Pontormo’s mannerist style had a great influnece on Bronzino who worked by his side not only as his apprentice but also as his partner so to speak in the cloister at the Certosa di Galluzzo. While working with Pontormo, Bronzino developed a style of mannerism that was more literal and his response to the subject-matter less sensitive, unlike his master. During the 1530’s Bronzino achieved his greatest distinction as a portrait painter, and by the early 1540s he had become the leading exponent in Florence. There are seven figures whose identities have left many scholars at great debate, two masks and a dove that takes up the foreground plane. When examined individually each figure exaggerates poses in a graceful almost dance like form, known as "figura serpentinata" (a 'serpentine' or spiralling) pose, which was ideal for mannerist artwork. Venus while being...

Words: 1695 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Art History Europe

...complexity. Art works often capture a moment in time. Paintings and sculptures break into the space of the viewer. This occurs partly in response to the demands of the Counter-Reformation, the Catholic Church's attempt to stem the impact of the Protestant Reformation. Catholic religious images aimed to ignite the fervor of the people for the Church and its beliefs. Some artists during this period, however, retain a more classical style. Works to identify and know in depth: Artist Title Date Bernini David 1600s (19-7) [pic] Bernini Ecstasy of Saint Theresa 1600s (19-1, 19-8) [pic] Bernini Saint Peter's, Vatican City, Rome 1600s (19-4, 19-5) Caravaggio Conversion of Saint Paul 1600s (19-17) [pic] Artemisia Gentileschi Judith Slaying Holofernes 1600s (19-20) [pic] Velázquez Surrender of Breda 1600s (19-29) [pic] Velázquez Las Meninas (The Maids of Honor) 1600s (19-30) [pic] Questions to prepare for Exam 2 (as well as the 5 numbered questions on study sheet for Ch 14): Which city was the major center for artistic development in the 1600s? Why? Why was the Council of Trent convened? What impact did it have on Catholic art? How does the Ecstasy of Saint Theresa exemplify Baroque art in its iconography and style? Discuss the innovations Caravaggio introduced into painting to make it look more dramatic. Why was drama desired at this time? Name an artist who was much influenced by Caravaggio. Compare...

Words: 402 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Difference in Art

...Differences in art MR.GIBBS Devindra Mohabir Flushing High School Devindra Mohabir September 15, 2013 European History Differences in Art Both the Italian and Northern Renaissance had a lot of great art works, and artistes. They had some similar ideas in term of art and they had some differences. The Renaissance all started in Florence, Italy during the 14th century. Florence was the perfect place for it to start because it was at the center of an international trading port with both Europe and the Middle East. Also because Italy was at the center on the Roman Empire after it fell. The Renaissance was spawned by the birth of the philosophy of humanism, which emphasized the importance of individual achievement in a wide range of fields such as art and writing. Although Italian Renaissance broke all tradition with Gothic style of art during the 15th century, it was a different story on the north side of Europe. The north never really abandoned the dark and gothic styles, it held on to it. In the North, Artistes were focusing more on the Middle-class and peasant class than on the wealthy. Artists such as Pieter Bruegel and Hieronymus Bosch were creating masterpieces of the peasant life. They were showing their perspective of it. “The Peasant Wedding” is a great example of this; Pieter Bruegel painted it in 1567 and it just simply show a wedding celebration of a peasant. The North also focused more on nature and landscapes...

Words: 499 - Pages: 2